Legislative Notes

2022 ELECTION PREVIEW

BY SCOTT STENGER, STENGER GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Candidates for statewide office and legislative races have filed their nomination papers and other paperwork to gain ballot access. This election cycle will see the second highest number of legislators, 32, not seeking reelection this fall. In addition to statewide races for governor, attorney general and U.S. Senate, all state congressional seats will be up in November, as well as all 99 seats in the state Assembly and the odd-numbered seats of the 33-member state Senate.

The partisan primary election is August 9 and the general election is November 8.

Governor’s Race

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is running for reelection and does not have a primary opponent. Five Republicans are running to face Gov. Evers in November: • Former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch • State Rep. Timothy Ramthun • Tim Michels, business leader • Adam Fischer, business leader

Candidates for statewide office and legislative races have filed their nomination papers and other paperwork to gain ballot access ... In addition to statewide races for governor, attorney general and U.S. Senate, all state congressional seats are up in November, as well as all 99 seats in the state Assembly and the odd-numbered seats of the 33-member state Senate. The partisan primary election is August 9 and the general election is November 8.

Attorney General

Incumbent Attorney General Josh Kaul is unopposed in the Democratic primary, and will face the winner of the Republican primary between Fond du Lac District Attorney Eric Toney and former state Rep. Adam Jarchow.

U.S. Senate

Republican incumbent Ron Johnson picked up a primary opponent, but is not expected to have much of a challenge before facing off against one of the eight candidates running in the Democratic primary. There are four main contenders in the Democratic primary: • Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes • State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski • Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson • Alex Lasry, Milwaukee Bucks Executive

Congress

While all eight congressional seats are up this year, only one is expected to be competitive — the open third congressional district. Republican Derrick Van Orden, who lost to Ron Kind two years ago, is the Republican nominee. There are four Democrats running to replace longtime Democrat Rep. Ron Kind, with state Sen. Brad Pfaff considered the frontrunner.

Wisconsin State Senate

Republicans are hoping to gain on their 21-12 majority, though they have four open seats to defend. In contrast, the Democrats have three open seats to defend; however, only one is competitive. Two incumbent Republican Senators have primary opponents, including Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu.

Wisconsin State Assembly

Assembly Republicans currently hold a 61-38 majority and there are 23 open seats this cycle. Six incumbent Assembly Republicans drew primary opponents, including both Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Speaker Pro Tempore Tyler August. TLW